Static electricity suppressor with patterned coating and method of making

ABSTRACT

A static electricity suppressor includes a base insulating sheet having conductive patterns coated on its two surfaces, and ion emitters in the form of pointed wires passing through the sheet, the ionizing points of the emitter extending beyond one surface of the base and being spaced from the pattern thereof, which is grounded. The opposite ends of the emitters are coupled to the pattern on the second surface of the base, capacitively or directly, which second surface pattern is connected to electrical source(s). A method of making a static electricity suppressor comprises providing electrically conductive pattern coatings on opposite surfaces of a base sheet of insulating material and causing emitters, which include ionizing points, to extend transversely through the base sheet with the ionizing points beyond the adjacent base sheet surface and spaced from the pattern on that surface, the opposite ends of the emitters engaging the pattern on the opposite surface, which is in registry with the removed portion of the coating on the first surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a static electricity suppressor,and method of making it, the static electricity suppressor being adevice for emitting ions in order to eliminate or suppress staticelectricity in such equipment as paper machinery, textile machinery andthe like.

Devices for eliminating or suppressing static electricity have long beenknown and widely used. For many years, such devices were made ofcylindrical and tubular elements, there being typically provided acylindrical inner conductor to which electrical energy was supplied,with a plurality of needle-like emitters joined to and/or piercing thecylindrical conductor, the emitters having their free ends in the formof points, which points were located on a common line. It was known,also to provide an encircling shield of conductive material, which wasgrounded, there being a transverse aperture in the shield in surroundingrelationship to each of the points of each emitter. Such devices weregenerally known as so-called "hot bars" because they were of linearform, and because the electric potential was applied directly to thecentral conductor and the needle-like emitters. There was also known aso-called "shock proof" bar in which the emitters were capacitivelycoupled to the main supply conductor: in one embodiment, the centralmain conductor was ordinary insulated wire, the wire having a pluralityof spaced conductive rings on it, with a needle-like emitter in directcontact with each of the conductive rings.

Later there were developed other bars in which the surroundingconductive tube was eliminated, there being used instead achannel-shaped member, which in some embodiments was used as thegrounded member, while in other embodiments it was used as anelectricity buss bar. While the devices, through continuous development,resulted in somewhat reduced cost, they have not achieved as low a costas is desirable.

Further and more recent developments have been away from the above notedconstructions. For example, a known static neutralizer is formed of apair of rectangular bar sections in face-to-face contact. One of thesesections was provided with fine grooves which, when the two sectionswere engaged, provided passages for discharge elements formed of fineresilient wire stock. A half-channel was provided in each of therectangular sections, in which the current supply wire was located,being provided with a plurality of spaced conductive induction sleeves,each of which was engaged by a discharge element. Such constructionrequires threading of the induction sleeves on the wires, the provisionof thin grooves, and the assemblage of fine wires in the grooves, all ofwhich lead to an expensive construction: also, there were providedadjacent the free ends of the discharge elements grooves in the outersurfaces of the pair of bar sections, in which was positioned a groundwire. The construction was expensive because it required, in addition tothe threading operations, other expensive manufacturing operations offairly close tolerance.

Another proposal in the prior art provided an elongate base ofinsulating material on a side of which was a conductive dischargeelement of thin, flat, elongate shape having one straight edge and theopposite edge provided with a plurality of sharp emitter points, betweenwhich were smooth semi-circular areas. On the opposite side of theelongate base was a conductive ground element of thin, elongate shape.This structure was mounted in a generally U-shaped insulating housing.It was a hot bar, in that the discharge element was directly connectedto a source of electricity.

Another proposal in the prior art provided an elongate laminatedstructure including a base strip of insulating material provided on oneside with a continuous conductive strip connected to a source ofelectricity and on the opposite side with a plurality of ionizingelements each in the form of a generally square plate with an ionizingtip extending from it. In this construction, which was of the "shockproof" type, there was no provision for a ground.

Also known to the prior art was an electro-static charging ordischarging device comprising a body of insulating material havinggrooves on one of its surfaces; at each end of the grooves were boresextending through the insulating material body. In these bores wereinserted needles, and the body was provided with a metal element forcommon connection to the two rows of needles. This device, whileutilizing needle-like emitters, required a number of manufacturingsteps, to provide the noted grooves, or required a mold of substantialcomplexity, if it were to be formed by molding. Further, this device hadno provision for a ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a static electricity suppressor oreliminator including a base of insulating material in the form of a flatplate or sheet. The insulating plate is coated on its two oppositesurfaces with conductive coatings of very thin material, which may havebeen initially adhered to the entire surfaces of the insulating sheet,and then removed, in pattern form, as by etching. Pointed wires formemitters, and extend transversely through the insulating sheet.Preferably, the emitter wires are arranged in one or more linearlyextending rows, with their emitter points extending beyond one surfaceof the insulating sheet. The patterned coating is in spaced relation tothe ends of the wires, due to the absence of the coating from thatportion of the insulating sheet surface in proximity to the emitterpoints of the emitter wires. The conductive pattern coating whichremains on the noted surface is connected to ground. The opposite endsof the emitter wires are coupled to the conductive coating pattern onthe opposite surface of the insulating material sheet. In a firstembodiment of the invention, the emitter wires are arranged in twolinearly extending rows, and the ends of the emitter wires opposite thepoints are directly connected to a conductive coating pattern in stripform. Each strip is connected to a direct current source, one of whichis positive and the other of which is negative. In another embodiment ofthe invention static electricity suppressor, each of the emitter wireinput ends is directly in engagement with an isolated portion of theconductive coating, there being an adjacent portion of the conductivecoating in spaced relation to it, so as to provide capacitive couplingwhen the spaced portion of the coating is connected to a source, such asof alternating current. In both embodiments, the emitter input ends aredirectly connected to a portion of the conductive pattern coating, whichmay be either directly coupled or capacitively coupled to source.

A method is provided for making such static electricity suppressorswhich includes providing a plate of electrically insulating material andcoating it on opposite sides with a thin layer of electricallyconductive material. A portion of each of the layers is removed, withthe removal of the portion on one side being such as to leave an intactportion which is in alignment with a part of the other side which hasbeen removed. Emitter wires are passed transversely through the plate,and engage the intact portion(s) only, their opposite ends being in theform of ionizing points and extending beyond the opposite surface, andout of contact with any conductive coating thereon.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a staticelectricity suppressor which is of low cost, being made of conventionalmaterials, and known processing steps. A further object of the presentinvention is the provision of a static electricity suppressor whicheliminates needs for cables, other than lead-in cables or wires, andthereby the elimination of threading of elements on such wires orcables, as well as the elimination of piercing such wires or cables byneedle-like discharge elements.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a staticelectricity suppressor having accurately controlled spacing of ionizingpoints from a grounded conductor, for the accurate control of the iondischarge path or field. Yet another object of the present invention isthe provision of a static electricity suppressor in which it is possibleto provide accurate control of the capacitor coupling between theemitter and the input.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide aninexpensive method for manufacturing a static electricity suppressor.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be readily understood from the following specificationand drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a staticelectricity suppressor in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, taken in the direction of the arrows 2--2of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross sectional view taken on the line 4--4 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second, capacitively coupled,embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross sectional view taken on the line 8--8 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the present inventive method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding referencenumerals are used for like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, there is shown in FIG. 1 a static electricity suppressor 10 inaccordance with the present invention, and comprising a base sheet 11 ofgenerally rectangular configuration, on the top surface of which is acoated conductive pattern 12, including three parallel andlongitudinally extending spaced apart strips 12A, 12B and 12C. Thesestrips are connected at their ends by the areas 12D and 12E. The coating12 is very thin, having been applied to the insulating base sheet 11 ina known manner.

Referring to FIG. 2, there may be seen the conductive strips 12A, 12Band 12C, there being an area between the strips 12A and 12B which isbare of coating, and similarly there is an area between the strips 12Band 12C which is bare of coating. Extending into these two bare areasare two rows of emitters 15, which are of conductive wire, areneedle-like, and which have ionizing points 15A (FIG. 4) which extendabove the upper surface of the insulating plate or sheet 11. Theemitters 15 extend transversely through the sheet or plate 11, as do apair of screws 16 and 17.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface of the insulating base sheet 11 isprovided with a pattern coating of conductive material, designated 13,and including a pair of linearly extending strips 13A and 13B, each ofwhich is directly coupled to the bases or input ends of the emitters 15.The strips 13A and 13B are opposite to and in registry with the bareportions between the strips 12A, 12B and 12C. This is clearly shown,also, in FIG. 4. The ends of the strips 13A and 13B may be somewhatenlarged, for connection 4 to lead-in wires 18 connected to a positiveDC source and 19 connected to a negative DC source, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cover sheet 20 is provided to protect the pattern13 on the bottom of base sheet 11, having substantially the samedimensions as the base sheet 11. These sheets are provided withsemi-cylindrical channels 21 and 22, respectively, for receiving the twolead-in wires 18 and 19, which latter are bared of insulation at theirends and suitably connected to the strips 13A and 13B. The screws 16 and17 serve to hold the sheets 11 and 20 in assembled relationship, and mayalso be used for securing the entire static electricity suppressor inposition, as to a suitable conductive member which is connected toground: alternatively, a ground connection for the conductive coating 12may be otherwise provided.

The above described construction may be made of any desired suitabledimensions. For example, the sheets or plates 11 and 20 may be each 1/8inch thick, one inch wide and 15 inches long, and the effective lengthof the static eliminator 10 may then be 12 inches. The insulating sheetswith conductive coating are readily obtained and/or fabricated, and thedimension and positioning of the respective bare areas and remainingintact areas of the conductive coatings is readily achieved, withsuitable precision.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5-8, thisembodiment providing for capacitive coupling, rather than directcoupling of the emitters to source(s) as was the case in connection withthe first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the shockless staticeliminator 30 includes an insulating base sheet or plate 31 on the uppersurface of which is a patterned coating 32 which includes a pair ofspaced parallel strips 32A and 32B, with a bare space between them,these strips being joined at their ends by the areas 32D and 32E.Ionizing points 15A of emitters 15 may be seen extending beyond theupper surface of the base sheet 31, the points 15A preferably being inline with each other. FIG. 6 shows, also, the conductive pattern 32including the strips 32A and 32B and the areas 32D and 32E, with thebare space therebetween into which the emitters 15 extend. Also shownare screws 16 and 17, shown off-center, and used for the same purposesas in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the bottom of the base sheet 31, with a conductive pattern33 thereon for capacitively coupling the needle-like wire emitters 15 toa source. Thus, the conductive coating 33 includes first and secondlinearly extending spaced and parallel strips 33A and 33B, joined at oneend by the areas 33D. In addition, the coating 33 includes a pluralityof separate isolated conductive elements 33F, each of which is directlycoupled to the base or input end of an emitter 15. The distance betweenthe isolated elements 33F and the strips 33A and 33B (see also FIG. 8)is selected to provide a capacitance of 5 × 10 ⁻ ⁴ pico farads, theoperating voltage connected to the area 33D being 6000 to 8000 volts,RMS.

The static electricity suppressor 30 comprises a bottom sheet or coverplate 40, which may be connected to the base sheet 31 by the screws 16and 17, and which may have a semi-cylindrical channel 42 in opposingrelationship to a semi-cylindrical channel 41 in the base sheet 31.These two channels receive a lead-in insulated conductor wire 43, theconductive part of which is suitably connected to the area 33D ofconductive pattern 33.

The ionizing points 15A and the strips 12A, 12B, 12C in the embodimentof FIGS. 1-4, and the ionizing points 15A and the patterned coating 32in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8, are exposed to atmosphere in order toionize air molecules in the manner described in Testone, U.S. Pat. No.3,643,128 and Testone, U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,924.

The embodiments of the apparatus invention as described above and shownin the drawings are exemplary only, as the invention may be practiced byother specific constructions. By way of example, instead of two rows ofemitters, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, there may be only a single row,connected to an appropriate source. Further, the emitters need not bearranged in a row or straight line: for example, they may be providedaround the periphery of an insulative material bench or table, havingthe entire center provided with a grounded, conductive coating, toprovide a work station for parts assembly free of static charges.

There is shown in FIG. 9 a method of making the static compressors asshown in FIGS. 1-8. There is first provided a plate or sheet ofelectrically insulating material, 11, 31, having on the oppositesurfaces thereof thin layers 12L, 32L and 13L, 33L of electricallyconductive material. Such electrically conductive material may beelectrolytically deposited, or otherwise applied to the insulating basesheet in a known manner. Next, a portion of the layer 12L, 32L isremoved, as by etching, to provide a desired pattern, and a portion ofthe coating 13L, 32L is removed, as by etching. There is left of thecoating 13L, 33L at least the intact portion 13A, 33F which is inalignment with the part of the first surface from which the layer 12L,32L has been removed. Next, holes 15H are drilled through the insulatingplate 11, 31, extending also through the conductive pattern portion 13A,33F: also, holes for the screws 16, 17 may be drilled at this time. Theemitters 15 are then passed through the holes, thereby engaging, also,the portions 13A, 33F. The semi-cylindrical channels may be provided bymilling, or by placing two of the structures as shown in the first partof FIG. 9 in facing relationship and drilling. The current supply wireor wires are then provided in the channels, with the conductors thereofsuitably connected to a portion of the pattern as hereinabove described.Finally, the cover plate or sheet of insulating material 20, 40 isprovided.

There has been provided an inexpensive static electricity eliminatorwhich may be made of conventional materials and known steps. Theeliminator eliminates cables or wires, except for lead-in cables andwires, and therefore there is no necessity for either the threading ofelements thereon, or the piercing of such cables or wires withneedle-like emitters. The herein disclosed static electricity eliminatorhas accurately spaced emitters, in relation to the ground conductors,for suitably precise control of the ion discharge path or field, leadingfrom the ionizing points of the emitters to the grounded conductor.Also, the herein disclosed static electricity suppressor may be eithercoupled capacitively or directly to suitable electrical sources.Further, there has been provided a method which enables the productionof various kinds, such as hot and shockless, of static electricitysuppressors extremely economically, while yielding suppressors ofsuitable operating characteristics.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A static electricity suppressor comprising:a. a sheet ofelectrically non-conductive material, b. elongate electricallyconductive emitter means extending transversely through said sheet,having an ionizing point outwardly of a first surface of said sheet andan opposite end adjacent a second surface of said sheet, c. firstelectrically conductive coating pattern means on said first surface ofsaid sheet in spaced relation to said point means and being exposed toatmosphere with said point means, d. second electrically conductivepattern means on said second surface of said sheet electrically coupledto said point means, e. means for connecting said second conductivecoating pattern means to electrical source means to thereby cause saidemitter to emit ions into the atmosphere, and f. means for connectingsaid first conductive coating pattern means to ground to thereby providea path to ground for ions engaging said first conductive coating patternmeans.
 2. The static electricity suppressor of claim 1, and furthercomprising a second sheet of electrically non-conductive materialoverlying said second electrically conductive pattern means.
 3. Thestatic electricity suppressor of claim 1, wherein said electricallyconductive emitter means comprises a plurality of spaced emitters, saidfirst electrically conductive coating pattern means substantiallyencompassing the ionizing points of said emitters.
 4. The staticelectricity suppressor of claim 3, said emitters comprising a firstgroup and a second group, said second electrically conductive patternmeans comprising first and second means for independently connectingtogether said first and second groups of emitters respectively.
 5. Thestatic electricity suppressor of claim 4, said electrical source meanscomprising a positive direct current source and a negative directcurrent source, said means for connecting said second pattern toelectrical source means comprising means connecting said positive directcurrent source to said first emitter connecting means and said negativedirect current source to said second emitter connecting means.
 6. Thestatic electricity suppressor of claim 4, wherein said first and secondemitter connecting means each comprises a linearly extending strip inelectrical contact with the emitters of the first and second groups,respectively.
 7. The static electricity suppressor of claim 4, whereinsaid first and second groups of emitters are positioned in two rows, andsaid first conductive pattern means comprises a strip between said rowsand a pair of strips outwardly of said rows.
 8. The static electricitysuppressor of claim 3, wherein said second electrically conductivepattern means comprises a linearly extending strip in electrical contactwith the ends of said emitters opposite the ionizing points thereof. 9.The static electricity suppressor of claim 3, wherein said secondelectrically conductive pattern means comprises means for capacitivelycoupling said emitters to electrical source means.
 10. The staticelectricity suppressor of claim 9, wherein said second electricallyconductive coating pattern comprises a separate isolated conductiveelement in engagement with a said emitter, and conductive strip means inspaced relation to said isolated elements, said means for connectingsaid second pattern means to electrical source means being connected tosaid conductive strip means.
 11. A static electricity suppressorcomprising an electrically insulating plate having a plurality ofemitter wires extending transversely therethrough, said wires havingpoints extending beyond a first surface of said plate and intoatmosphere, means for supplying electricity to said emitter wirescomprising a thin coating of electrically conductive material on a partof the second surface of said plate and coupled to said emitter wires,whereby to cause said emitter wire points to emit ions into atmosphere,and means in said atmosphere and spaced from said emitter wire pointsfor conducting ions emitted thereby to earth, whereby air between saidemitter wires and said last mentioned means is ionized by said emittedions.
 12. The static electricity suppressor of claim 11, wherein saidlast mentioned means comprises a thin coating of electrically conductivematerial on a part of said first surface of said plate in spacedrelation to said emitter wire points.